I currently have an Eclipse System 1 15 gallon show tank with a piece of drift wood (two anubias nanas attached with java moss) and some planted water sprite. I am currently in the process of building a DIY CO2 system.
The Eclipse hood has a 4000°K Natural daylight, full-spectrum fluorescent light for both fish coloration and lush healthy plants. I am wondering if this is a good light or if anyone has any recommendations for a better 18" bulb replacement.
Thanks

Plants don't care so much about spectrum, CRI, etc. They just like light. You should choose a bulb based on what you think looks good. All this within reason. There are bulbs out there that will promote algae growth, but those are usually on the opposite ends of the kelvin scale. That being said, if you're happy with the way that the light looks, then you can rest assured that the plants and fish will like it.

The only thing I would be concerned with is the light levels in that tank. An 18" bulb is a 15 watt light which gives you 1 watt per gallon. Granted, the plants that you have in there are fairly low light plants (is water sprite?) but I'm not so sure that 1 watt per gallon isn't even a little too low even for the plants that you have in there.

Unfortunantly, there aren't really any 18" bulbs that are any brighter without going into a retrofit kit with something like a power compact, or outfitting your hood with a couple of those neat compact fluorescent bulbs that are like 15 watts each.

Dave I have to chime in here. I used to run either 5500K lights or 6700K lights and have switched a tank over to the GE 9325K lights and it makes a huge difference. Spectrum makes a big difference. You could have a bunch of actinic lights over a planted tank and the plants would not do well at all.

I know my plants are doing much better under the GE 9325K bulb. And I hate to break this to you Gyo but the GE bulb in question is a 55 watt 22" long CF bulb. There is no way it will fit in your fixture. The bulb that is in your fixture is actually a pretty good bulb. If you want to replace it you might be able to find a better bulb at a large LFS. But I would not worry about it. With only 15 watts over that tank and the lousy light spread you get from the Eclipse hood you are going to have a hard time getting decent plant growth on most plants.

Rex is correct, with only 15 watts it's going to be tuff on your Eclipse 1 to grow plants. I have the Eclipse 1 Twin Lamp on an 15 gal. This grows some low to moderate light plants OK. I just got the 36 watt CF Brite kit from AH Supply. I also got their 5300K 92 CRI bulb. Except for a little trimming on the reflector, it should be OK. There is also a way to put 2x28 watt CF's in it at: http://www.inlandreef.com/eclipse.html. Also Custom Sealife has a 32 watt Smart Lite retrofit for your Eclipse. If you want to grow plants be sure to swap out the Smart Lite 50/50 bulb for something like a 28 watt 6700K.

I just put the AH Supply 36w Bright Kit on my Eclipse 1 TL hood. I got a single bulb lamp base from Big Al's for $14.99 and saved my twin lamp base. I had to trim the reflector a little to get the clear cover on. I was even able to use the Eclipse on/off switch and the cord with the stress relief that exits from the lamp base. I really like the results.

I just got the 36 watt CF Brite kit from AH Supply. I also got their 5300K 92 CRI bulb.

I was getting ready to put in order for 55watt 5300K CF from AH Supply (92 CRI) and now it looks like they don't carry it. They have only 5000K, 6700K, and 10000K, and the description says the CRI for these is in the low 80's.

So what are your thoughts? Does it matter? Should I just order the 6700K or are there better alternatives out there?

On a related note, some manufacturers/sellers seem to have another scale for describing color temp. For example, when ordering a 55w CF from lightingsale.com, you choose one of the following color temps:
830, 835, or 841.
Does anyone know if/how this correlates to Kelvin?

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